NHL 100

Headlines

U.S. opens big lead on Slovakia

by
Mike G. Morreale
/ NHL.com

The U.S. National Junior Team has a 6-1 lead on Slovakia through two periods in preliminary-round action of the World Junior Championship at HSBC Arena.

Kyle Palmieri scored a pair of goals in the first period when the U.S. held a 22-1 advantage in shots on the Slovaks, who were coming off an inspiring 2-1 overtime decision against Germany on Monday. In that victory, Slovakia goalie Dominik Riecicky made 47 saves. Against the United States, however, Riecicky was pulled in the second period in favor of Juraj Holly after yielding six goals on 42 shots.

Charlie Coyle and Chris Brown scored goals in the early stages of the second period before Slovakia finally connected on Tomas Jurco's goal. The U.S. quickly re-established its dominance, though, scoring twice more in a span of 3:25 to take a five-goal advantage into the third period.

The U.S. holds a 43-11 advantage in shots. Goalie Jack Campbell, who made 32 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory against Finland on Sunday, has 10 saves.